Kind've outcome that I usually revel in, and there was tension in the level of competition and the stakes being so high, but objectively just thought it was a pretty turgid game.

Madrid were shite at doing anything to win the game at 1-1 - Modric-less they look like a genuinely ordinary side, and Ronaldo covers so much less ground and makes stuff happen so little these days, that he looks actually looks impotent without decent service. He's pretty much just an (extremely effective) number 9 these days - and Juventus were really poor for most of the game but didn't need to be great, going through by virtue of simply staying in the tie and capitalising on some terrible defending.

On paper that Juve midfield is amazing but thought Pirlo was pretty useless in both legs, Vidal didn't repeat his first leg performance, and Pogba didn't look half as exciting as he should. Maybe the heat was the reason but thought it was just sterile for such a big game.

These semis have followed a similar template to last few years - three "elite" clubs (pretty much always Bayern, Barca, Madrid but Chelsea last year) - but always one relatively unfancied team causing an 'upset' - Dortmund, Atletico, less so Di Matteo's Chelsea but still - obvs barring the latter those were brilliant sides. And none of the drama of Atletico being brilliant at Stamford Bridge, Lewandowski tearing Madrid apart, or the relentless bus-parking/Torres goal of 2012 Chelsea. They just kind of... did enough.

I just don't see Juventus on Dortmund or Atletico's level though - don't think they're necessarily any better than their last few years, they've just had a relatively fortunate route to the final, including a poor Madrid. Said yesterday they should prove more of a test in the final than either of the two Man Utd teams but not sure if that's true, especially 2009 Ferdinand-Vidic/Ronaldo-Rooney-Tevez.

Can't see the final changing the trend of the favourite winning, as has been the case past couple of years. Might be a similar game to the Italy-Spain in 2012.

Quite like that Barcelona have beaten the Dutch, English, French and German champions en route to the final and will be playing the Italian champions - old-style european cup feel to it. And it's good that this will be an unrepeated match up.

Think Bayern - Barcelona would've been the best final really. not too fussed about a Clasico final as it feels inevitable at this point and would be better with both at the top of their game; interesting to see what Zidane does to Madrid next season

Juve have always been my Italian team if you like ever since i first became aware of Platini and then Baggio.
I appreciate there dealing might have been somewhat underhand over the years, but hey i'm a Rangers fan so can let that slide. :)
Been watching buffon and pirlo since forever and have always been a big fan of both and would like them to sign out their illustrious careers with the champions league.
That said, i don't see them beating barca.

and Buffon deserves a Champions League simply for his loyalty in playing in Serie B when he has probably been the best goalkeeper in the world over the last 15 years or so and would have easily found a place in any of the other European superclubs.

Also I hope Barca lose like I hope they lose most games, hateful club made up of divers, tax dodgers, cheats, biters and racists. Also like has been insinuated by others I find it super dodgy how they never seem to suffer from injuries to anywhere the extent of any other club in Europe.

With the rolling five-years thing, a 7 point lead over Italy (+3 point lead over Germany) from 2010-11 will be gone, and with the contempt English clubs treat the Europa League with, I can see Italy and Germany overtaking the premier league next season. Could be really tight going into next season depending on what Napoli and Juve do